Biological Area Flashcards
1
Q
Core studies for regions of the brain
A
Sperry
Casey et al
2
Q
Core studies for brain plasticity
A
Blakemore and Cooper
Maguire
3
Q
What is the biological area
A
- main focus is to study the extent to which behaviour and experience are determined by our biology
- biological psychologists have focused on studying the structure and functions of the brain and nervous system
- brain scanning techniques allow for more detailed study of the brain was previously possible
- supports nature/nurture debate
4
Q
Principles
A
- all thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a physical/ biological cause and can be explained through genetics, chemicals, level of brain activity
- human behaviour is determined rather than as a result of free will
- brain structures and activity can be studied and changes in structures related to experiences
- differences in emotion, cognition and behaviour are genetically controlled
5
Q
Strengths of the biological area
A
- because measures are of biological functions, data is objective, and un influenced by personal bias
- technical and accurate measures can be taken using specialised techniques often using highly controlled conditions, therefore very reliable
- it contributes to our understanding of the nature/ nurture debate, often providing support for the’nature’
- it can show clear links between biology and behaviour and these links can lead to useful applications
6
Q
Weaknesses of biological area
A
Reductionism - it reduces complex human behaviour down to simple biological explanations and ignoring other explanations
• as measures are usually taken in highly controlled conditions, tasks may lack ecological validity
• highly deterministic - behaviour is seen to be due to factors outside of our control
• difficult to study all behaviours in this way because the mind and body interact with the environment and biological approach does not explore how complex systems interact
